2020-08-14 Dinner Time Tales - Annette, Ira, Megan, Seamus and Beaulieus

Ira and Annette had cleaned up a bit and gotten dressed after their magical afternoon together since they declared their love for one another openly. Now they walked hand in hand into The Love Shack where they saw a broadly build redheaded young man behind the counter. Ira had seen the guy before, twice. The first time he wandered into the shop out of curiosity and simply browsed and they had exchanged greetings. And then later he saw the guy in a very animated conversation with Sasha Beaulieu. Clearly the two young men were good friends. They reminded him a bit of him and Levi in their energy. Sasha had given Ira a wave but Ira had been across the street and chosen not to interrupt them and simply waved back and continued on his walk. But now he greeted the clerk with more familiarity “You again?” He joked. “How are you doin today?” They were now familiar strangers after all.

Megan Brate was in the back office at the computer tapping a ballpoint pen against her teeth as she poured over an order form online for the shop “Oh damn them...they raised the price on those again….” She muttered and then frowned and opened a new tab to search a price list for a competing product line. She was wearing an off the shoulder multicoloured tie dyed tank top over another black tank top with a short but ruffled denim skirt and little black flip flops. Her hair was loose around her shoulders. Megan wasn’t one for tons of jewelry but she had a simple silver chain with a little heart pendant and on her left hand she wore a silver wedding band.

Annette walked into the Love Shack for the first time.  She’s also seen Seamus Reinhardt, but never in this place.  He and Sasha were the best of friends and she’d seen him from a distance.  Now she approached him with her hand in Ira’s and smiled as Ira exchanged greetings.  “It’s Seamus, right?”  she ventured.  She was back in her usual modest skirt and blouse.

Seamus Reinhardt was wiping off the counter using what was now the usual disinfectant when the door opened and two people he knew on sight walked in.  He hadn’t really met either, but knew they were Sasha’s cousin Annette and her roommate, Ira.  Glancing at them, he wondered if he’d missed something, or if Sasha had.  These ‘roommates’ were holding hands and at a glance were a couple.  Yet Sasha had told him that Annette was the daughter of the dreaded ‘Tante MC’ and very religious.  And yet, here was this Catholic cousin in the Love Shack.  Seamus did not discriminate and smiled when they approached him.  He looked at the guy.  “Me again.”  he replied before looking at Sasha’s cousin.  “Yea.  I’m Seamus.  And you are Sasha’s cousin … Anne?  And … the roommate Ira, right?”  he smiles at them both.  “I’m great.  How are you two?”  He looks curious, and doesn’t bother to hide that curiosity.  They weren't the last people he;d expect to see in this place, but it was still a curious surprise.

Ira clued in about the name Seamus “Oh...you came up at lunch….Seamus. Yeah I’m Ira.” He grinned a bit “We were just roommates…” He looks at Annette but isn’t sure how she wants to label it “I’ll let Annette choose what we’re calling it now…” He chuckles.

Megan frowns at her computer screen “Aphrodite’s Lotions….I’m sure we’re already stocked on those…” She grabs a clipboard off the desk and heads to the front seeing Seamus chatting with what looks like a couple. She gives Seamus a nod and greets the customers “Hi there, welcome to the Love Shack.” She leans down and looks at a shelf “Oh yeah there they all are…..”

Ira glances at the woman who walks out and then does a double take and looks like he’s trying to decide something as he looks between Seamus and Annette.

Annette smiled at Seamus.  “Well, we’re still roommates.”  she tells him, and looks completely unashamed as she gives Ira a loving look.  “Just now we might be sharing the same room.”  she watches the woman come in and overhears.  “Oh, they deal in top shelf here.”  she recognises the name and approves.

Seamus grins.  “I see.”  he nods.  “Congratulations on your space saving journey.”  he jokes.  He looks at Megan and then back at Annette and Ira.  “All top of the line.”  he agrees.  “Why deal in junk?  Were you guys looking for something in particular?”

Megan looks up and smiles as she hears the compliment from the woman. And as usual she is happy with Seamus’s customer service and lets him just fly as he’s so good she doesn’t need to interject at all. She does happen to step in beside him though to cross check how something is listed in their inventory with her order list “”Pardon me, carry on.” She types away and then clicks the mouse.

Ira returns Annette’s loving look “Yes please…” He concurs on the room sharing. He nods about the quality of the product. He wasn’t really a connoisseur but he trusts Annette’s opinion. He’s about to answer Seamus when Megan steps right into view and the decision he was struggling with is made “Meagan Douglas?” He outright asks her.

Megan looks up surprised “I was…..Megan Brate now.” She holds up her left hand and shows her wedding ring “You look really familiar and I’m afraid I’m about to be rude and tell you I’ve forgotten your name.”

Ira looks between Annette and Seamus and then gives Annette’s hand a little squeeze “Ira Rothenberg. We went to uh…. Cedar Point School together until I was in grade 6.”

Megan slaps the counter “No WAY! Hello Ira. I do remember you but you look different now. How are you?” She smiles at the woman with him “Hi I’m Megan.”

Annette is already looking at the glass counter where the condoms are when Ira and Megan begin to talk.  So she doesn’t reply to Seamus immediately, but smiles at Megan.  “I’m Annette.  I’m Amelie Beaulieu’s niece.”  she smiles.  “Small world?”

Seamus looks between the three and cannot really help himself.  “Smaller between Cedar Point and here.”  it isn’t a jab or a poke.  They were sister cities that effectively merged after the earthquake.  But this Ira … didn’t move with the others, so maybe he missed the earthquake?

Ira grins at Megan’s reaction “Yeah a bit….so do you but your face….there’s enough of that ...from when you were a kid. I mean not like Ryan Yamada who looks exactly the same. I’m good….well good now.” He looks at Megan “We lost my mom in the quake….yeah smaller between them.” He agrees with Seamus.

Megan smiles at Annette “Oh the dentists! We live next door….the house with all the cats…..and my shrieking little girl.” She laughs and then nods with Seamus. Then she nods vigorously with Ira’s words “Oh he does. I think Ryan has looked the same since he was like 3….did you run into him? He’s actually best friends with...oh I don’t know if you know him because he came later...my husband Adum Brate. Anyhow he’s Ryan’s best friend, he’s mayor here now….yes I’m married to the mayor.” She sighs “Your mom…” She’s struggling for her name and it shows “Sorry….I’m bad with names….and I’m sorry you lost her...wait no you guys lived across from my aunt, my great aunt but still. Gloria right? I knew it was in there. Have you seen Shirley? My dad’s here too...and my sister….pretty much everyone who survived.”

Ira nods “Gloria and Yaron were my parents. I’d love to see Shirley.”

Annette listens a little sadly, but also interested, learning more about the connection between the cities.  At Megan mentioning her family house, she giggles a little.  “Sasha told me how he broke the mayor's window on the first sunny day in Alexandra playing Street hockey.”  she turns to Seamus.  “Or rather how you broke the mayor's window, but how nice he was about it.”

Seamus shrugs.  “I didn’t break that window on purpose and Adum’s cool.”  He listens about Shirley.  “Mayor Shirley lives with Mayor Sewid.”  he gives a little look.  “Oddest couple you could ever imagine.”  he’s seen their name on their mailing list, but in his mind it was a private thing, so he didn’t share that part.

Megan giggles “Yeah that’s Adum. I think he was probably looking out the window hoping you guys would invite him to play.” She beams about her aunt and her beau “Oh but they’re so happy.”

Ira smirks about the window story and then keeps on about the fun mayor before he blinks “Mayor Douglas and Mayor Sewid….huh...now there’s a small world. Good for them. I did see Ryan but I didn’t say hi. He was working and we didn’t really hang out...I was an awkward kid.”

Megan gives Ira a little look and also assumes he knows everything being from Cedar Point and just starts talking like he and his, she presumes girlfriend do “Oh come on Ira. It’s not grade school. Believe me the Cedar Point folks here all reach out to each other, especially after the quakes and the fog….my god...we’re survivors right?”

Ira had started to nod in agreement and then looked a little confused “Uh wait what?” He kind of laughs but awkwardly.

Annette listens and looks confused.  “Fog?”  she wonders aloud.

Seamus arches his pale red brows at Megan.  “You blew that fog horn, you can explain what that weird fucking noise is.”  he grins and leans against the counter looking bemused, but also like a little kid looking forward to his favorite story.

Megan’s eyes go wide at Ira’s reaction “Oh…” And then Annettes’s “Oh….shit.” She blows out a breath and looks at Seamus “Pregnancy brain strikes again. OK you guys have no idea about this island do you? It’s weirdness…..I mean good god…” She laughs at the magnitude of what she’s started.

Ira nodded at Annette and then looks curiously at Seamus and then Megan “Congratulations? And this is both of our first time to Alexandra, despite where I grew up...and the only thing people told us was that people fall in love super fast here. To be honest, Annette and I were already in love so I’m not sure we qualify but it did make us do something about it. But that doesn’t sound at all like what you’re talking about. You said quakes plural and then fog. Do you mean the years of quakes in Cedar Point and that superstitious cult?”

Megan smiles “Congratulations to you two then as well. And thank you….4 months in. It’s related to the quakes...maybe. I’m not a Quake Taker….even though my mom….” She trails off and then comes back “K that’s a whole other rabbit hole. Stay with me.” She looks between Ira and Annette “You’re going to think I’m insane. Cedar Point had the big quake that wiped us out, that took your mom and so many. And a bunch of us came here…..where...there was another quake…..HERE.” She looks at them both again pointedly “And after it there was this fog….now it was literal as there was physical fog but it also …..Alexandra was cut off for 3 years from everywhere else. In every way. No mail, phones, ships couldn’t go in or out. We vanished...but not to us...locally we were here. We had to adapt and survive it. Before you just shut it down...look around...solar panels, gardens. And I mean hard core gardens everywhere like for the apocalypse...not just recent like the Covid people getting on board…...and here..” She points to the shop “Eventually condoms ran out with everything else. Had to go a bit old school. The Catholics would be proud.” She laughs. “Think what you want but it’s true.”

Ira looks like he doesn’t know what to think and he just stays quiet. He had noticed the gardens and the solar panels but figured they were just eco conscious people.

Annette listeed, her brows lifting with each sentence.  She had noticed all of the solar panels and the wind turbines, gardens and greenhouses everywhere.  “I noticed that, but …”  she blows out a breath.  “I mean …  my Maman … she would probably say God was punishing you, but … she’s not the most reliable Catholic I don’t think.”  she considers.  “I just thought maybe you were all just really eco-friendly.  Like a hippie commune.”  he glances at Seamus.  “It sounds insane, but I can buy the love at first sight thing … so why not?” she looks at Ira and again, her look softens.  “I mean Ira and I were already in love, just in big time denial.”  she laughs.  ‘So that doesn’t seem to fit into the mythos, does it?”  she looks between Seamus and Megan.  “But .. tell me about this Catholic birth control?  I may be in the market.”  she giggles a little.

Seamus doesn’t expect everyone to believe right off the bat.  He shrugs.  “Maybe it does?  Because according to Sasha you two were nothing but roommates yesterday … and now you’re thinking about sharing a single room … and bed?  Unless I’m reading you wrong…”  his cheek is never subtle.  “And like … just not having sex until like right after her period for example.  Rhythm method if you were really brave and I guess horny?”  he arches his brows.  “And again … were you two in the market for birth control … yesterday?”

Ira is a visible skeptic but the wheels are turning “The rhythm method sounds risky and limiting. And no we weren’t in need of birth control yesterday.. and yes we are here to buy condoms....I don’t know how to process all this fog stuff to be honest. I don’t want to be a jackass.”

Megan looks like she understands “Ira, it’s a lot to process. Take your time. Sleep on it even. I honestly thought you knew. You’re the first person from Cedar Point I have encountered who didn’t. You’re not a jackass. I lived it and I know how unbelievable it is. And not to add to the pile but Cedar Point had the same weird hit with a ton of bricks love thing. You can try and deny it. Adum and I did for years... but then it hit us twice as hard because of it.” She looks between them “It’s almost painful physically when you’re holding it back...like you’re having an allergic reaction. But then you touch and you can never let go again.” She lets her eyes drop to their hands.

Annette listens and looks at Ira.  “Well, if nothing else we can ask around?”  she offers.  “It’s like a mystery.  An adventure.”  she suggests.  She looks at Megan, curiously about how the love thing hit them twice as hard, and she wonders why.  When she mentions it being physically painful, she looks down at her hand in Ira’s.  She has lived with harsh realities, and does not believe in fairy tales.  And less than an hour ago they were talking about that particular part of Alexandra magic.  She remembers those who told them.  Sasha, Jasper and Ira’s long time friend, Levi.  She knew Sasha could be a goof ball romantic, but Jasper and Levi were professionals.  Surely their word counted for something.

Seamus grins.  “Megan’s right.  Ask around … worse comes to worse, you think everyone on the island is insane and … well … since March we’ve all had to deal with it from one mainlander or another.  You get used to it.”

Ira frowns “I want to believe you both. I just need some time with it.” He looked at Megan after hearing what she said about holding it back “Yeah it was agony...but isn’t that just love. I mean musicians and Shakespeare and Hollywood and crazy painters who cut off an ear…..don’t we just go a little nuts from love all of us? Again...I want to believe….I’m sorry I’m jaded. “ He chuckles “But I do really appreciate you telling us. And it’s good to see you Megan Brate.”

Megan shrugs and smiles and then nods at Seamus “OK but come back and talk to us when you’re either convinced or completely rejecting it. I’m curious as to where the ride takes you Ira….and Annette too but I can see your mind is more open to it Annette. For now please, do buy condoms.” She grins.

Annette looks at Ira, still full of love.  She laughs at Megans last words and looks at Seamus.  “I’m curious as well … but in the meantime … “  she steals a glance at Ira and licks her lips without even realizing she’s doing it.  “LolliPops Magnum, in mint and coffee if you have them.” her voice tells all she knows exactly what she wants.

Seamus isn’t fussed at not being believed.  He glances at Ira and the nods at Annette.  “The lady has excellent taste.”  he tells them both.  “Singles, 25, 50 or a pack of 100?”  he asks.  “The don’t expire for two years, so … that’s occasionally a consideration.” it, of course depends on how often one will be used.

Ira saw the lip licking and felt a little twinge and then doesn’t hesitate on the number “100 please.” He smiles at Annette and then clears his throat casually. He could commit easily to making love at least 100 times in far less than two years. Other than that he’s happy to let her choose anything.

Megan gives them a little smile but then lets Seamus deal with anything else. Satisfied customers were the goal, in all ways, even their own.

Seamus nods.  “100 for the gentleman.”  he turns and opens a display case behind him and takes out one pack of 100 in both mint and coffee.  “The coffee is great, I’m told.”  he tells then as he places the packs down.  Now, of course comes the moment of truth, as he assumed they wanted 100 of each, not a total of 100.  “That’ll be 111.00.”

Annette goes into her small purse and brings out her wallet, then hands Seamus her bank card without a moment’s hesitation.

Ira was about to reach for his wallet but Annette was faster. He put an arm around her waist “Do you want to go halfers?” He certainly wasn’t expecting her to just up and pay for all of this as it was for both of them.

Megan loitered a bit. She rather delighted in seeing how people negotiated their birth control purchases. It was an interesting window into their relationships sometimes and she was a little snoopy.

Annette leans into Ira the moment he puts his arm around her waist.  “Sure.  It’s an investment in the next few months.”  she winked unabashedly at him.  She knew they had a good six months supply … unless they made love more than twice a day … which is why she said ‘few months’ instead of ‘6 months’.

Seamus listened to them without bothering to look as if he wasn’t.  He grins and takes Ira’s card, and then Annette’s.  In a minute they are rung up and he places the large boxes in an opaque brown paper bag.  “Thank you and enjoy your purchases.”  he tells tham.  “And if you’d like to leave a review, our email is on the card.”  and he drops two in the bag … just in case he’s wrong about these two.  He slides the bag between them.  “You guys have a fantastic rest of your day.

Ira can’t help but smile at Annette “I agree.” He loves how open they are and gives her a quick peck on the lips before turning back to Seamus and Megan “We will. You too. Thanks.” He looks at Megan “It was nice to run into you again. Thanks for …..for sharing all that…..” He still looks conflicted but then smiles.

Megan gives Seamus an approving look and then beams at Ira and Annette taking such loving and equal responsibility for their choices and purchase “You guys warm my heart. Nice to see you too...both of you. Listen...say hi to Ryan if you see him. Heads up...he lost a lot too in the quake. His dad and his brother. He and Stephanie made it here. Steph had a kid….he’s a teen now and she met a super nice guy and got married. I’m not even sure you know all the Yamadas...or knew them.”

Ira frowns “Sakura’s...I remember the restaurant, even that kid. That’s too bad...really too bad for them. Hey they had a friend...the fish and chips guy. Yuki...did he make it?” He’s looking really hopeful.

Megan smiles “Yes Yuki is here. He has a girlfriend….Seamus….Seamus knows Yuki!” Megan grins and swats at Seamus “His granny is the girlfriend. Kaitlin.”

Seamus rolls his blue eyes.  ‘Yea, yea, yea.  My grandmother is living with him.  Great fodder when I want to see my father’s face as red as his hair.”  he grins.

Annette giggles.  “Oh .. that’s … thats … inspirational.”  she decides.

Seamus nods.  “Yea … it is.”  he confesses.  “I hope to be half a verile when I’m their age.”  the door opens and a tourist walks in.  “Well, back to work with me.”  he waves to them and goes around to the lovely looking woman, turning on his charming smile.  “Welcome to the Love Shack.  Can I help you?”

Annette smiles and nods her agreement.  She takes Ira by the elbow.  “Shall we?”

Megan had given a little wave already and was starting to move back towards the office when the phone rang and she answered it “Love Shack. Yes this is Megan…..oh hi….yeah we can get that out to you….”

Ira looks both immensely relieved about Yuki and highly amused “Good for him and them. Cheers man. See you Megan.” He looks sweetly at Annette “Yeah…” And then pulls her arm through his as he picks up the bag of their purchases. Once they’re outside he exhales “This is an amazing and weird day.” He assesses the size of her purse “I don’t suppose we could tuck these in there while we visit your family? Or we could drop them back at the hotel real quick?”

Annette giggles.  “They’ll never fit in my little purse. We can drop them off, but …”she glances down he street.  ‘I wonder … while we’re in a buying mood … maybe we should go get that HIV test?” she bites her lip, almost shyly.

Ira chuckles “Alright...let’s get it all done. But I’m not going for a swab before dinner. Or a Covid test which is the same deal almost but up the nose. And no rectal exams. Exit only.” He threatens in jest with a finger pointed.

Annette plays along immediately, clasping her hands to her breast.  “Oh, do you think you’re close enough with Jasper to ask?”  and then he goes on and she pouts dramatically.  “I knew it … limitations on our relationship already.”  she buries her face in her hands and mock sobs, even though they sound suspiciously like giggles.

Ira cracks up at her antics “I’m not sure I want that to be the second conversation I have with the guy ever. Limitations huh? Got something in mind?” He steers them away from a family that stopped in front of them.

Annette laughs into her hands now and smiles up at him when he steers them away from the family.  “Always saving me from collision, my love?”  she teases.  “And I can’tthink of any limitations on us right now .. well …  I still want monogamy, but …”  she actually blushes a little.  “And if you want I can talk to the doctor.” she offers.

Ira stops them moving at the word monogamy and her blush and looks deeply into her eyes “You’ll have monogamy. It’s what I want too Annete. I’m fuckin commited to you. I love you.” He kisses her impulsively if he can right in the street before the clinic doors and then he smiles after “I can deal with Jasper knowing why we’re there. I have nothing to hide.”

Annette swallows hard against public tears when he tells her she will have monogamy.  “I love you, too.”  she kisses him back and then nods.  “Alright …”  She opens the clinic door for him.  “You first this time.”

Ira smirks “Why thank you m’lady.” He walks through and goes to the reception desk and then reading the signs everywhere pulls a simple black face mask out of his pocket and puts it on quickly. “Hi there, any chance of getting two walk in appointments….uh with Dr. Rogers?”

The receptionist is a round faced middle aged woman who has on a blue disposable medical face mask. Her eyelashes flutter a bit at the words Dr. Rogers “Oh let me check his roster. Are you British Columbia residents both of you? Have you travelled outside the country? Do you have any symptoms of Covid-19?” 

Ira slaps down his BC Health card “I am….and no and no.” 

Annette goes into her purse and pulls out her mask which is black with miniscule white lettering on it that looks like computer code.  Putting it on, she then gets her BC Health card and sets it down.  “Yes, no and no.”  she tells the receptionist.

The receptionist, who is at this point in the day still Shelly Newcastle gives a little nod and then clicks away on her keyboard putting in their information from the cards “Thank you…...and what’s the reason for the visit today for each of you?”

Ira looks at Annette and then the receptionist “Same reason for both of us. HIV test….”

Shelly pauses momentarily and then slowly nods “OK…” She squints a bit at the screen “I can get you in back to back at 4:10 and 4:25….”

Ira clears his throat a bit “You could put them together if it’s allowed. We’re a couple….”

Shelly looks awkward “That’s not our procedure…..”

Just then Jasper comes down the hallway and behind the reception desk with a clipboard that he slides up on a hook between two others. As he turns to head away he spots them and comes over. “Hey there you two. No more near bike crashes I hope?”

Shelly looks up at Jasper and blushes “Doctor Rogers, this couple are asking to see you...together. I told them we don’t do that.”

Annette watches as this woman goes on and on, but then the doctor comes out.  She laughs.  “No bikes, thank goodness, but I almost got run over by a tourist family.  At least I think they were tourists.  Ira saved me again, Jasper.”  she glances at the receptionist.  “We made appointments but were hoping we could see you together. I understand the whole privacy and confidentiality thing, but we’re willing to waive them .. if you have something we need to sign?”

Jasper looks at Ira and Annette and then at Shelly’s computer screen. He’s wearing his N95 mask as usual at  work “Shelly, if you’ve blocked out the times back to back, just leave that. I’ll take them both together but they can have the two slots since there may be...discussion?” He isn’t sure what they’re booking for yet as those bits of info often come to him with charts begun. “Verbal consent is fine here Annette. Ira, do you consent?”

Ira nods, looking relieved “I do. I waive confidentiality as Annete and I are here for the same reason. We want HIV testing.”

Now Jasper looks like he understands “OK…...wow you two. Levi and I were very happy to see how things came to be for you earlier. I’ll see you both at 4:10…” He looks down again “In exam room 3.”

Shelly watches after Jasper as he walks away for a bit longer than is polite and then wondered aloud “Who’s Levi?” 

Annette smiles.  “Thanks, Jasper.  We’re very happy too.” she watches as he leaves and turns to the receptionist in time to see her lingering gaze.  The woman had not been terribly rude, so she decided to keep the answer to who Levi was to herself … at least the details.

Ira smiled at Jasper “Thanks so much. What she said.” He looks suspiciously at the receptionist as she watches Jasper walk away. This was Jasper’s place of work and he wasn’t going to out the guy. “Friend of ours.” He replied with. It was true after all. He head juts as some chairs in the waiting area and puts a hand gently on Annette’s back “Hey let’s sit. It’s a short wait at least.” They would be out of earshot of the receptionist as well if they did and the waiting area was currently empty.

Shelly takes the answer at face value and gets back to work.

Annette sits with Irai and arches her back, rolling her shoulders with a slight groan.  Ira’s seen her do this quite a bit, as if she's in discomfort.  She pulls out her phone and checks her messages.  “No new jobs.” she replies ith a sigh. “But the payment from Mr Johansen came in, so that evens it all out.”

Ira puts a hand gently on her shoulder and listens to her talk “Hey, you ok? Are you stressed about this test….about money?” He’s seen her roll her shoulders and he was never sure if it was stress or something in her body, pain or strain.

Annette blinks in surprise, barely aware she’d made the motion.  “Oh ...no … it’s nothing.” she assures him.  “My back … when they say chest heavy, they mean chest heavy.  It’s a lot of literal weight to carry.”

Ira can’t help but look at her chest as she’s talking about it but he’s being compassionate not piggish “OK. Can’t do anything about the weight of them but I can give you a backrub later….when we’re not sitting in a clinic.” He chuckles. Then he looks up at the clock on the wall “4:10. We’re up Babe.” He called her babe without thinking about it and then hoped after she wasn’t put off by it.

Annette smiles at both the offer and the term of affection.  She sees the nurse step out and call “Ira and Annette?” even though no one else was in the waiting area.  She sees them and motions them.  “I’m Colleen.  Come with me.”

Ira stands up and casually takes Annette’s hand if he can as she moves to follow “Hi Colleen.” He greets and will then follow.

Colleen leads them into Exam 3.  “I just need to get your pulse and blood pressure and the doctor will be in here in a minute.”  she smiles.  “Your first?”  she says to Annette.

Annette offers her arm for pulse and then blood pressure.  “Thank you, Colleen.”  she feels so comfortable here.

Ira watches Annette as he stands, leaning his back into the wall. He tilts his head when Annette doesn’t answer the question about whether it’s her first HIV test. To encourage her to answer, he gives his “Not my first...but it’s been years. I don’t have a regular doc back home. Walks ins pretty much.”

Colleen nods and writes down Annettes results.  Then she takes Ira’s.  “Well, that’s not unusual.”  she looks at Annette, softly.

Annette blows out her breath.  “No .. it’s not my first.  I’ve had … a couple.”  she admits.

Colleen nods, writes down Ira’s results and then makes another note in their charts, most likely about the answer to the HIV question.  “Well, Dr Rogers will be with you in a moment.”  she tells them and then she .. and their notes are gone.

Ira smiles at the nurse politely “Thank you.” After she heads out he walks over to Annette and pulls her into his arms “You know I don’t think any differently of you? You know I still want you...and love you…” He had really heard her when she expressed what scared her before and he recognized it coming up again.

Annette hugs him.  “I know … and … it’s been more than a couple, Ira.  I’ve had one every three months or so for the last three years … but .. well Covid.”  she snorts and then sighs.  ‘I know I’m not a whore but …  I’m still high risk … or I was.”  she closes her eyes as if expecting to hear the pitter patter of feet out the door, despite knowing how he feels.

Ira buries his face in Annette’s hair and breathes into it as he listens to her “That’s good. You’re being responsible. And besides, have you been with anyone during Covid...before me...today? Because we’re going on six months here Annette. I’m not actually super worried about this test...or you. I know you’re careful and I really don’t care how many partners you’ve had...it won’t change how I feel.”

Annette sighs and nods.  “I haven’t.  Hell since I moved in the only sexual contact I have had was that night I talked to Amelie and freaked out on her.”  it didn’t look like that to her aunt she knew but thats what happened.

Jasper can be heard outside the door as he walks up and then takes down the charts and skim reads them. He stands there for a moment and then raises his hand and gives a quick little warning knock before stepping in “Alright let’s get started.” First he washes his hands. He sets Ira’s chart aside and sees they’re embracing “Are you guys ok? I’m going to start with Annette because I have a few more questions there.” He sets aside the stuff to do the tests on a cart nearby.

Ira pulls back from Annette but doesn’t let her go completely. He waits for her to answer if she’s ok though “I can move if you want me to Jasper.”

Jasper shakes his head “It’s ok.” He can sense Annette needs some support in this and if Ira being close helps her that’s fine with him.

Annette kisses Ira … her mask is between her lips and his forehead, but she gives it the old college try.  “I’m good, babe.  Really, Iam.Mostly.”  she can’t help but giggle.  “Insecurities is all.”  she looks at Jasper. “Alright … fire when ready, Doctor.”  She tries to make light but she knows what the questions are likely to be and will be honest.  Ira can take it … she hopes.

Jasper gives Annette a little nod and pulls his rolling stool over to sit or sort of lean sit on it so he can face her and get into things. He runs his finger down the chart and then looks up at her “Annette, tell me a little bit about why you wanted to come for this test today…..are you feeling you may have been exposed to HIV? And if so, tell me more about that please too.” Jasper has a very open ended approach to how he gets patients to talk about their concerns.

Ira feels the attempted kiss and smiles and then gets a warm feeling as she returns the term of affection he used on her not long ago. “OK…” He says softly and then keeps an arm around her as he gives her a little more space to answer the doctor.

Annette inhales and exhales deeply.  “As you know, Ira and I are in a new relationship … well .. old but new.  It’s complicated.  I’ve been in love with him since last spring I think it was ..  but never told him.  I thought .. well we met at the Red Velvet, which is a sex club in Vancouver.  He was a bouncer and I was a card carrying VIP member.”  she blows out another breath.  “I’m hypersexual and used sex and orgasm to hide a lot of the pains I have to deal with regarding my family.  So I am high risk.  I’ve gotten an HIV test every few months now for the last three years … until February, because Covid came along and the club closed.  The last couple of times I was there, Ira suggested we room together .. save money … and I accepted.  SInce then …  I haven't had any sexual contact at all, except one compulsive masturbation session when my mother came up and … she’s a trigger … that sounds kind of gross when I say it out loud but …”  she believes she is rambling.  “Anyway … I wanted to come in more to prove to Ira than myself that I am safe … despite my .. promiscuity.  I haven’t been exposed since the week before Ira and I talked about moving in together and I made sure he .. not Ira the other guy .. used a condom …  I’m pretty anal about that.”  she shrugs.  “So .. long answer and long answer.”  she gives a nervous laugh.

Ira lets Annette get it all out before giving her a little squeeze and leaning his head down into her. “You’re doing great Annette.” He’s not saying she’s feeling great and he clarifies “Communicating great I  mean.”

Jasper nods along and patiently listens to it all without any looks of judgment. He’s heard a lot in his day and much worse than wha Annette’s revealed. “You are doing great.” He points at the chart “And you’re getting therapy for the hypersexuality and the family …..trauma?” He’s not sure what happened in her family but he can tell it’s been harmful. He looks between them “OK, now I have to ask a personal question. Annette you said you made sure the other guy, not Ira used condoms? If you two have had sexual relations, have you also used a condom? I know what I saw today but I make no assumptions.”

Annette leans back into Ira but doesn't really reply to him yet.  Jasper asks more questions.  “Yes.  I’m seeing Dr. Mary Henry .. she’s local to here, actually.”  when he says he has to ask a personal question a laugh is startled from her.  Like the ones before weren’t personal.  “Yes.  I made all of my partners use condoms.”  she glances at Ira.  “And we have had sex .. and used a condom .. but … I almost forgot, Jasper.  And I never forget.  It was just … not something I felt I needed to do.”  she sighs,  “Which reminds me .. I also want some kind of birth control.  I’ve been on the pill but got off of it because .. it just felt a little like overkill with the condoms.”  she suddenly remembers she wanted to talk to a doctor and … here was one right in front of her.

Ira had chuckled too about the words personal question  and then he nods along and looks at Annette with love. He could have easily forgotten too today. He doesn’t have anything to add to the birth control and that’s all completely her choice.

Jasper looks pleased about Dr. Henry “Doctor Henry is a great therapist.” He takes in her words about almost forgetting the condom and looks between Annette and Ira “Strong emotions can cloud judgement for sure. We can talk about different options for birth control. Many people use two methods. It depends on how detrimental it would be to have an unplanned pregnancy or if it’s more related to disease concerns condoms are of course the best option. It’s ultimately up to you.” He takes the test kit and moves the cart over as he gloves up. “For now let’s do this. I can send you home with some literature unless you feel the need to get a prescription for the pill today.”

Annette nods her agreement, glancing at Ira and returning that look of love.  “I don’t think I would say getting pregnant would be detrimental …  Ira isn’t working right now, but I am really only making enough for the two of us.  So it would be a financial problem.  But I’d deal with it.”  she shrugs.  “That might be the only thing that could happen to me at this point I would put on ‘gods will’.”  she puts the last two words within air quotes.  “It wouldn’t be the baby’s fault and I'd never abort Ira’s child.”  she is vehement on this point.  As Jasper prepares to give her the test, she considers.  “I may as well get back on the pill. I’m very good at remembering to take it.”

Ira smiles when she says pregnancy wouldn’t be detrimental and she wouldn’t abort his child if it happened. “It wouldn’t be detrimental. And I’m on EI...and I have savings still. So we’d deal with it ok actually. I do want kids...but I’d like to choose when it happens if we can.” He doesn’t comment on the pill but looks between Annette and Jasper.

Jasper prepares to take Annette’s blood sample, tying  and tightening a rubber band around her upper arm “Ok well I’ll write that up as soon as we do these. You’re both very responsible and careful it sounds like and that’s good to hear. We’re going to take blood and a cheek swab from each of you. Results will be back within a few days, maybe a day depending who’s on in the lab. How long are you here for?” He watches Annette to see if she has any needle nervousness and chooses his approach based on her reaction. If she’s nervous he’ll tell her to look at Ira and count to twenty and if she’s fine he’ll just do it. After the needle he will take a cheek swab and then bag both up for the lab before giving Ira a look and a gesture to indicate it’s his turn. Jasper will do a  glove change and a hand wash in between them and then start working on Ira.

Annette is an old hand at these tests, so she isn’t nervous at all.  She nods.  “Family planning … that’s so beautifully … not Catholic.”  she chuckles as her test is given.  “There are five of us.  My older brother is about a year older than I am and my younger three are all within 11 months of each other.”  she makes relative small talk.

Jasper is tying the band on Ira’s arm now and noticing he’s tensing up “Oh close together. My ex and I did that but only with three. I have to say it had moments of both beauty and insanity. Five would be more the second option. Ira….I’m going to get you to look at Annette….yep just keep looking at her...and count to twenty….”

Ira had smiled about the family planning comment but as soon as he saw the needle he looked like a frightened deer ready to bolt. He nodded at Jasper’s words and then looked at Annette, the anxiety written all over his face “1…...2……” His breath came a bit faster and he ducked his head down into Annette’s shoulder “12….13….”

“All done. It’s amazing how many big tough guys I can freak out with one of these…” Jasper chuckled as he dealt with the phial.

Annette strokes Ira’s hair as he leans into her.  “Now I know if someone comes after him with a needle, I’ll have to beat them up.”  there is quite the size difference between she and Ira in regards to weight and height.  She kissed Ira's forehead through her mask when it was over.  “You did great, babe.  I’ll remember this later.”  she grins.  “Thank you for not making me beat Jasper up.”

Ira is comforted by Annette’s affections but also looks a little embarrassed. “Thanks…. Swear it’s the only thing that makes me a wuss. And we can’t beat Jasper up...Levi’s way too good of a lawyer.” He jokes. He pulls down his mask and is fine with the mouth swab part of the testing.

Jasper laughs heartily “Glad to know my smooth talking Samuels can save my ass with his words and documents. You did do great Ira. I do need to ask you the same question as Annette even if I can probably guess at the answer.” He bags up the phial and swab now from Ira and take off his gloves and washes his hands before picking up Ira’s chart. “OK so what made you feel you wished to get an HIV test today? Are you feeling you may have been exposed at some point?”

Ira had been laughing and now gets serious and nods at Jasper “OK well some of the same reasons as Annette. New relationship and I’m committed to Annette. I want her to know that. Um...I’ve always been careful. Except one time...possibly….2 and half years ago I met a woman at a party. We were drunk, really drunk. I’m not actually sure if we even had sex because part of that night was a blackout for me. But I woke up beside her. I was not in a good phase of my life. But I later found out she was a heroin junkie so I got a test. It was negative.” He looks ashamed of that choice and stage of his life.

Annette smiles as he speaks of commitment and listens carefully about the blackout sex.  She isn’t judgemental and simply looks at him with compassion, curious about this stage of life, as he’d always been cheerful with her.

Jasper looks understanding “OK, thank you for sharing that. You seem to be in a better stage now Ira…” He looks at Annette but he can also just tell from the lunchtime. Although people with serious depression could put on cheer and he knew that. He grabs a prescription pad and scribbles out the birth control prescription “Annette, this is going to be three months worth to get you started. You should check in with your regular doctor when you get home in 3 months too.” He hands over the paper. “Nice to see you both again, even medically. Do you have any other questions before you go?”

Ira nodded “I am Jasper. Not just because of Annette but she certainly helps. I lost my mother three years ago….it’s uh….well..yeah.” He gives a little shrug and then looks relieved things are wrapping up “No questions. And thanks again.”

Annette nods her agreement with Jasper that Ira seems much better now.  She takes the prescription and pockets it, then hops down from the exam table.  “It’s good to see you, too.  We’re leaving Saturday afternoon before the last ferry.  I don’t have an questions, medically.  I just hope you guys stay safe … all of you.  Shutting yourself off might actually work.  Isolation, right?” she thinks of the history of the island, so it should be old hat to natives … even though she also knows that Jasper is not a native.

Jasper nods at Ira “I’m sorry for your loss Ira and I understand.” Now he looks at Annette. “I agree with you about isolation but those decisions come from the mayor and the town council as far as I’m aware.” He chuckles “We’ll do the best we can though. You stay safe too. Have a good day.” And with that he takes their tests and the clipboards and heads out.

Ira smiles “Bye Jasper.”and he gets ready to walk again with Annette. As they’re out the door he says “They should isolate. This island actually has a fighting chance. Almost makes me tempted to stay here...with you of course.” He had just sanitized his hands so now he takes off his mask and pockets it since they’re in fresh air outside again. “Let’s drop off the condoms and head to your aunt’s place?”

Annette sanitizes her hands the moment she gets in the lobby and takes her mask off when they get outside.  She walks with Ira as he speaks and looks up at him when he mentions his temptation.  “Really?”  she moves closer to him and puts her arm around his waist.  “It is beautiful here …  and … I can work from anyplace … and you’re between jobs …”  she sounds as if she’s actually considering it.

Ira slides his arm around her shoulders and looks surprised and then thoughtful “It’s crossed my mind. We’d have to pack up our place……” He smiles “You’re very adventurous Annette. I love that. Let’s keep talking about it. Levi would be super happy….and you have family here. Two aunts right? And of course your uncle and cousins.” He hadn’t met the other aunt so far. Ira was feeling a strange calling to this island. All the Cedar Point people, the connection, even though he was still reconciling the story of the fog.

Annette snuggles into him as best she can.  “We would.  But that’s part of the adventure, right.  New beginning and all.  And yes, two aunts and cousins.  I haven’t been much a part of their lives, because of Maman, but I like them.”  she looks up at him.  “And I do like it here.  It’s a little strange, but nice.“  she turns and they head for the hotel.  “And this park is beautiful.”  she adds.  “Almost as beautiful as my man … is that strange, calling you beautiful  Handsome?  Strong.  Sexy.”  she smirks.  He is all of that to her and more.

Ira can’t help but laugh “I’ll take it. Honestly you had me at the words my man. I think you're all those things too and more Annette. Maybe it would be healing for you to connect with this part of your family...since they’re different from….from your parents.” They head up to the room and Ira sets the brown bag down on the night table and looks at her “OK….we better go before we get tempted to sample those and make ourselves late for dinner.” He’s only half joking and he kisses her after in a  way that reveals the other half would be easily swayed.

Annette gives a mock huffs after the kiss.  “Are you calling me mannish?”  she demands, giggling as they enter the hotel and head up to their room.  “I clearly need to work to be more feminine for you.”  she grins and bites her lip, looks up at him and steps back, arching her back and showing off her ample chest.  “Maybe I need to wear more pink?”

Ira gives a little whimpering sound as she arches and shows him her chest. He was losing the battle with his will power instantly. He slid his hands up her body and over her breasts looking at her with obvious desire “You are perfectly feminine and so fucking hot to me…” He kisses her again, turning them and steering them towards the bed “What time is dinner again?” He murmurs as he eases her onto it, moving with her and hovering over her now.

*****WARNING*****Graphic sexual content below. Reader discretion is advised.

Annette moans very softly when Ira touches her.  “Good, I was starting to worry.”  she teases him, wrapping her legs around him and pulling him close, showing off the strength of her leg muscles.  “Dinner is in about an hour and a half.”  she presses up into him.  “So a little time to play and we might not be too late.”  she lifts her head to kiss him, surprised at how much she wants him.  She had known she did, but this desire was nearly primal.

Ira grins “That’s lots of time….mmm…” He feels the strength of her legs and moans and then caresses her thigh reaching unabashedly under her skirt “Wow you’re...uh...pretty cut….I mean….I’m not always so smooth with compliments. I love your body. It’s beautiful and strong….really strong.” He kisses her back hungrily and leans down on her more thrusting into her while they’re still dressed.

Annette feels his hand on her body and sighs in pleasure.  “Well, I’m kind of out of shape since all we’ve done is walking, but … I work out a little … and do self defense training so I’ll be safe.”  she lifts up into him as they kiss.  “I forgot … don’t you have one more condom in your wallet?”  she asks thrusting up again, feeling him and feeling her body responding to him.  Already she is wet and ready.

Ira pulls back and raises a brow at her but also looks impressed and happy to hear it “I’m glad about the self defense…..yeah I do...and all those..” He grins and kisses her again and pulls out his wallet and frees the condom, laying it beside them. Then he wastes no time and eases himself back and pulls off his shirt and then starts undoing his belt and pants with a kid in a  candy shop grin “Let’s get naked…” He requests, wanting their bodies touching as soon as he can have that. He’s gotten over some of his initial body self consciousness with her since she was so loving and into him earlier.

Annette sees the condom and licks her lips.  As he undresses, she does as well and once she is she pulls herself on top of the bed and strikes a sexy, yet modest pose.  Her arms over her head, on her back, legs closed and bent a bit like the old models that posed on the hoods of cars.  “I’m yours, Ira.  Do to me what you will.”  and that is definitely not an invitation any man has ever heard from her mouth before.

Ira had watched her undress with love and anticipation as he let his own clothes fall to the floor. Now as she poses and offers herself he gives a little happy grunt and moves to her, kissing every part of the arms he can and the legs up and down “All mine huh? And it’s not even my birthday.” He’s sort of been planking overtop of her as he moved the kissing around. Now he backs up and sits himself so his legs are over the edge of the bed and if he can he’ll pull Annette on top of him so she’s straddling him and begin kissing her deeply and caressing her back and outer thighs and ass.

Annette nods up at him.  “ALL yours.”  she emphasises.  “And I will do something special for your birthday, Hanukkah, our anniversaries and any other day you want it.”  she giggles when he pulls her into his lap and she kisses him deeply.  Then she moves her hand between them. Pressing his cock against her clit and rubbing herself against it.  She moans in pleasure and, as she did when they were talking earlier that same day, bends backwards.  But this ting she is naked and pressing his cock against her slit, masturnating as she strokes him and giving hi one hell of a show in the process.

Ira smiles at her offer about his birthday and inclusion of his holidays with anniversaries. He loves the idea of anniversaries, a future with Annette. As she kisses him back and presses his cock against her clit he can feel she’s already wet and grunts again. Then when she bands back he holds onto her hips a little and then his eyes pop open wide “Holy fuck…” He’s instantly hard and he watches her and feels her hand on him and watches her touch herself. “Oh god Annette….” His breath gets heavy and he looks sideways and takes note of the condom still being in reach thinking he’s going to need it soon with this show and feeling. One hand around her low back he slides the other up her body or down as she’s leaning. His arms are long enough that he can reach her breasts with his fingertips and he begins to play with her nipples lightly and then brings his hand back up and licks his fingers and plays some more with them wet by his saliva.

Annette arches her back into his touch, even as she continues to play.  “Oh god, Ira.”  she sighs.  She moves her legs to his shoulders and without his needing to help she arches her pelvis up to his face.  “Lick me, Ira.  Please.”  she moans, bracing herself with her hands on the wooden floor.

Ira feels like he might faint from how turned on he is by Annette's acrobatics and feet on his shoulders. When she says lick me. He does not need to be told twice and he moves his hands up to her hips and noses his face between her legs as his tongue finds her clit in almost second and begins to circle slow and flat against her with a little pressure. He moans into her and grips the hips a bit. How is she even doing all this? His cock bumps her back every so often like it’s a flag waving to signal his total arousal.

Annette arches her hips into his welcoming tongue.  This position is not themost comfortable, but is it erotic for both f them.  But, after nearly a minute, she pulls back and works to sit in his lap again.  She could easily mount him, but that isn’t her plan … however he is so hard now he is likely creating pre-cum which would be a pregnancy risk, so she stands and takes the condom, this time using it on with her hands,  Once that is done she slides back on his lap and resumes pressing the now hard cock into her clit. Moaning and grinding. She places one hand on his chest and gently pushes him back,  if successful she will grind herself on him harder and faster, moaning out in pleasure.  “God I love you Ira.  You make me so wet.”  she shakes her hair free and does indeed give him a show of it, shaking her hair around and playing with her breasts as her pleasure mounts.

Ira happily lets Annette take the lead in this round. He watches her sweet small hands putting on the condom and sighs happily at her and then gets pushed back after he almost lost it when she was pushing his cock into her clit again. Her grinding is making him crazy but he also knows a bit now about how she gets off and doesn’t rush to try and enter her. “I love you too….oh god Annette..” He watches her hair fall all around her “You’re a goddess to me…” He exclaims with a chuckle and then moans seeing her playing and her pleasure being so obvious. He hints at the idea of being in her but still gives her all the choices as he grips his own cock and rubs her with it a bit too, looking up at her with an open mouth.

Annette cries out in pleasure when he calls her a goddess and begins to cum  He keeps rubbing his cock on her clit and she gathers her feet at his hims.  “Ira .. god …”  she helps him line up and she squats on him, her knees spread wide, giving him the complete show of him entering her.  “God you fill me perfectly.”   she groans and lowers herself completely before she begins to move, leaning back and placing her hands on her knees as she rides him, her legs still spread wide and revealing.

Ira moans as she begins to cum and then he’s in her and he can see everything and he moans louder and over and over “Oh god…….you feel so fucking good…..” He thrusts up into her and his hands once again grip her hips. She’s gotten him really worked up so his face begins contorting within minutes and he’s moaning and thrusting hard as he begins to cum and cries out loudly “Anneette…...oh...oh oh…..ahhh……...ah…….mmmm…” And at that point he’s just holding on and staying lifted as he pulses inside her and his eyes roll back.

Annette rides him slowly, and it drives them both wild.  He begins to cum and she can feel him pulse.  She keeps on top of him until hes all done and smiles, sliding off of him and taking the condom off and tossing it with a smile.  “Fuck I love you, Ira.” she tells him as she leans over his groin and sucks him into her mouth, tasting him.  She isn’t trying to necessarily start again, but she wanted to clean him up.

Ira is almost overwhelmed by her sucking on him after and laughs a little awkwardly as he caresses her hair “Oh my god…...my goddess...Annette….whoah…” He pulls her up to him after and holds her tightly “I’m good Babe….so good...holy shit…”

Annette cleans him up with her mouth and lays with him after.  “Yes, you are very good, my Ira.”  she says casually.  As they snuggle she moves his hand between her legs and moves against his fingers, breathing heavily.  “I don’t understand.”  sh murmurs.  “Before one orgasm on my own and I was good.  But with you, I am already happy, but just want your touch.”  she moans again, rolling onto her back so she … and he .. adn see his hand as she presses it into her clit.  “Am I worse? Better?”  she moans.  “I hope this is normal, because it's the best I’ve ever felt in my life.”

Ira is more than happy to give her more if she wants more and starts circling her clit with two fingers and grinning at her between kissing her. He’s rolled to his side so he can both reach her and kiss intermittently “You can have my touch anytime…..I want to make you feel good...make you cum. I think it’s normal because I can barely stop thinking about this with you. We’re new….new and old..” He kisses again “and in love.” Another kiss. “Wanting each other is pretty damn normal I think….” Now he kisses her neck and presses a bit harder and faster into her clit.

Annette puts the leg closest to Ira over his leg, kissing him and listening to the words between the kisses.  “You do make me feel good.”  she pulls the other leg out, exposing herself to more of his touch. “So in love ..and this is our normal.”  she takes her hand off of his, letting him do what he wants.  She kisses him again looking at him as he presses into her clit.  “Play with me, Ira.”  she caresses his face.  “It feels so good.”  she is still but its getting so she wants to move under his fingers.

Ira keeps playing, keeps kissing and rolls around with her a bit as he does. “Tell me what you want. I’ll do anything for you Annette…” He presses a bit harder into his movements and attacks her neck with kisses.

Annette groans into the kisses.  “Play with my clit … make me cum… and don’t stop until I ask .. please…”  her hips began to slowly rise and fall with the motion of his finger over her clit.  She kisses him again.  “I swear .. its yours … you make me feel so good .. og god … Ira …”  she grasps his arm, grinding with him … helping him help her.

Ira moves his kisses back to her mouth in between her words “i will...oh god Annette…” He kisses her again and is now really going for it with his hand as she escalates. He moves with her movements and nothing could be hotter to him than getting her off again. “Mmmm” He grunts into the next kiss as he keeps going “Cum for me Annette…...oh god please…”

Annette can feel her rgasm building and she is moaning with him.  “Ira ….”  he them says to cum … for him .. and she explodes, bucking up.  “For you … oh fuck …  Ira .. for you . don't stop .. oh god please don’t stop .. its for you…” she can feel the orgasm both fade and yet something bigger is building behind it.  She begins to cum again.  “Ira!  Yours…” and yt she still feels more .. still wants more.

Ira doesn’t stop, just like she asked and is asking. And then she starts to cum a second time and he feels like he’s died and gone to heaven “Mine yes...oh my fucking god Annette…” His whole body moves with his fingers on her clit now as he helps her ride out the next wave. His ock is twitching at it all but he’s pretty sure he’s done for a while. That doesn’t matter at all though because she is amazing him and he will give her as much as she can take and ask for.

Annette cries out when he uses the word mine and cannot for the life of her understand it.  But is makes her cum again, or its the most ironically times orgasm in the history of orgasms.  “Yours …  Ira …  I … Ira …”  she is bucking now and it is nearly a porn worthy sight the way her hips lift and circle.  ‘Ira …”  she feels another orgasm begin .. another squirting orgasm …  she sees the stars …”  I ….” and she blacks out.  It is only for about 6 seconds, but she is unconscious for that time.

Ira was totally into it and almost mesmerized but when Annette blacked out he got a little panicked and moved his hand to her hip “Annette?” He hovered over her and shook her gently “Babe….talk to me….Annette…” He’s gone from totally turned on to totally freaked out in 10 seconds.

Annette blinks her eyes open and can hear Ira calling her name.  She looks up at him.  “Hi.”  she looks at his face.  “What happened?”

Ira is cradling her to him now and catching his breath like he was almost hyperventilating “Oh thank god. You passed out. Do you feel ok?” He caresses her face on one side, still looking worried. “I mean you had a wicked orgasm but then you were out….”

Annette blinks and then feels the wet spot under her.  “Oh …”  she laughs in a way like she isn’t sure she should.  “You made me cun so hard …  I passed out?”  she blnks at him.  “Oh … god … I ‘’’ I …. I love you.” and she laughs, despite everything.

Graphic Content Ends

Ira begins to calm downs since she’s laughing and smiles “Scared the shit of me. I love you too. Has that happened to you before? I’ve sure as hell never done that to anyone before today…..”

Annette sees him calming.  “I’m sorry.  That’s never happened to me before today …  I had spots earlier …  I … think that’s when I should say enough of your magical touch.  Limit learned.”  she hugs his arm.  “You called me yours and my whole world exploded, I came so hard .. well … obviously if I passed out.”

Ira rolls back now so he’s not hovering and hugs her to him “Just because I said yours? Or mine..I guess...Wow.” He laughs a bit “So is this an us magic or this island?” He ponders but still looks skeptical “I don’t even know but that’s intense. You sure you’re ok? Not dizzy or queasy or lightheaded?”

Anette snuggles up to him.  “Oui.”  she doesn't usually resort to French.  “Maybe this is your way of claiming me.” She is only half teasing.  “Not in that fucked up BDSM way.  I’m not calling you Master or anything but in that .. is it just a fact way?  I belong to you like I’ve never belonged to another human being.  And now we're together….”  she nods.  “Maybe It's a both magic.  Us and this island?”  she grins.  “I’m a little shaky but I think that will pass.”  She kisses him.  “Once I can walk again we can go to dinner.  I’m starving.”  she proclaims.

Ira held her tightly “No BDSM. Glad you’re not into it either. I want you to be mine in a romantic way. I don’t and don’t want to ever mean it as some kind of dominance or ownership. That’s not who I am….who we are. But yes, I’m yours….always. Magic, whatever kind.” He kisses her back “Do you want another shower? I know we already took one…” He chuckles a bit “I’m pretty hungry too.”

Annette smiles and nods, sliding out of bed.  The shower turned into much more and by the time they redressed, they arrived at the beaulieu’s literally as the family was sitting down to dinner.  “I’m sorry we’re late.”  she called from the door, slipping off her shoes.  “Oh, that looks good …. And salad again!  Love it!”  she walks in, holding Ira’s hand as if this was the most natural thing in the world.  She’s in her same clothes, but none the worse otherwise.

Rene looks up from the salad and beams.  He’s in cargo shorts and a tshirt that matches his brown eyes.  “Yes, salad.  Lettuce, cucumbers, radishes and snap peas.”  he looks at Ira who he thought was just a roommate, then shrugs and sits at his place.

Gen looks towards the door at her aunt and Ira and smiles, noticing the joined hands.  “Hi Ira.  How are you doing?”  she is in gym shorts and a tank top.

Felix watches the two of them enter, then looks at his wife with an almost knowing grin.  He is still in his slacks and button up from work, but the tie is gone and the top two buttons are undone.  “Have a seat, kids.  There's Plenty.”

Ira sheepishly kicks off his shoes and goes in with Annette holding her hand tightly. “Yeah sorry. Smells really good in here. Thanks for including me Mr. and Mrs. Beaulieu. Hi Gen….good….good good.” He had said good too many times now and smiled awkwardly before heading to one of the empty chairs. He was dressed the same as before too but just freshly showered. “Nice salad Rene.” He looked down as he felt a warmth on his foot as Taffy the puppy had sniffed him and then sat down on him “Hey there little fella…” He reached down and gave the dog a little ear scratch. “I think he likes me Cathy.”

Cath was sitting beside Rene and watches their cousin walk in holding hands with the older man who they were told was a roommate. Then he was all weird and called her Cathy. She looked at the puppy and sighed. Taffy was a good judge of character and Annette looked happy. Cath was in a little green flowered sundress with a  blue tshirt under it “He does. Please don’t call me Cathy. I prefer Cath.”

Ira looked humble about being  by an almost 12 year old“Oh hey sorry. I’m glad you told me that Cath.” He gave her an apologetic smile.

Amelie was bringing a casserole dish to the table with a big serving spoon as Annette and Ira arrived holding hands. She returned Felix’s grin and then just called them out and pointed at their hands “I knew it! I’m very happy for you both. Please call us Amelie and Felix, Ira. We’re not formal in this house. She’s wearing the pants of her dental scrubs still with a plain purple tank top. “Rene’s salads are more interesting each day. This is Coq au vin…..chicken in wine sauce. The alcohol is cooked off if anyone has a concern about that.” She points at the other dishes “Roasted potatoes, green beans…..and since I knew from when we talked before you...Ira... eat Kosher there’s no dairy products in with the meat or other things. But butter on the side for anyone who wants. Dig in...Bon appetit. We have lemonade on the table as well but if you want anything else just let us know.”

Ira looks very touched the meal has Kosher considerations “Oh...thank you…..wow…” He blows out a breath. They were so kind. He passes potatoes to Annette first and waits for his turn.

Annette smiles at her family and grins at her aunt.  "Well if you knew Tante, you could have shared with me, you know.  I just found out today."  she takes the dish, and some potatoes and hands it back to Ira.  "You are the guest, you know."  she reminds him.  "And thank you for the kosher meal, Tante Amelie."

Rene is distracted by Cath being called Cathy and beams.  "Cathy!  I like that.  Cathy!"  he won't ever forget that.  He takes the chicken and piles it on his plate.

Gen rolls her eyes at her brother, but looked at her parents.  “Like me and Dante?”  not many minutes went by without Gen talking about Dante, but she missed him so badly, her family didn’t seem to mind.

Felix looks at them as he grabs the green beans.  He looks at Gen and grins.  “Oh, I was thinking more like your mother and I, actually.  Already in a love that just needed a kick in the ass to really jumpstart.” he winks at his wife.

Cath rolls her eyes at Rene “I just said I didn’t like it. Why are you so mean Rene?” She takes the chicken after him and then passes it to Ira in offering since he was nice enough to call her what she liked. She smiled at Gen when she said like her and Dante. She knows how much Gen missed him. Even she did. Then her dad says it was more like he and her mom, Ira and Annette getting together and she looks at her father “Papa you said ass.” Because telling him meant she got to say it too in context.

Ira takes the offered chicken “Thank you Cath.” He shoots a grin at Rene “It’s his job to bug you you know. He’s a brother. What’s your full name Cath...you could go by that?” He had looked at Gen when she talked about Dante. He did know that story and felt for those two. Then he smiled at Felix “You guys? You two are super solid.” He chuckles as the kid calls him out on saying ass, by saying ass. He looks over at Annette with absolute love after.

Amelie winks back at Felix but looks sympathetically at Gen “We miss him too cherie.” she looks between Annette and Ira “Relationships are hard work...even at our age. We recently had to do some of that work and it’s better now than it ever has been.” She looks at Cath “Catherine Lucille...I see what you did there…..” She gives her a little look and then a smile and then takes the chicken as it comes her way.

Cath slumps and sighs loudly “You gave me two old lady names. Two!” She shoves her fork into a potato like she’s stabbing it.

Annette watches them interact as she fills her plate.  "Welcome to a big family."  she winks at Ira.  "This is the nice one."  she picks up her fork.  "Oh, Tante Amelie ...  I'm gong to be spending the rest of my time here in the hotel.  Get out of your hair."  she says it casually and not unlike asking for the salt.

Rene points at Ira.  "What he said...  that and you're such an easy mark, I can't resist."  it's true.  he could get  her goat withoutreally trying.

Gen grins as she fills her own plate and nods at her mother recognizing how she felt about Dante.  She smiles a little when her mother says her relationship with her father is stronger than ever.  "It's this island, I'm tellinyou.  It's lie in the air or something."  she begins to eat.

Felix grins at his kids and shakes his head in wonder.  He nods at Amelie.  "I agree .. better than ever."  Cath complains about having two old ladies names and he arches his brows at her.  "You were named to memorialize my beloved grandmother."  he looks a little hurt, even ignoring the slipping in of the word ass.

Cath lets her gaze drift to Annette and then Ira and then shoots a dangerous look at Rene. She looks curious about the island and the love thing everyone kept talking about. Maybe she was just too young to get all that. Then she looks ashamed of herself for complaining about the name Lucille “I’m sorry Papa..”

Amelie gives Annette a sideways look and then leans forward to do the same to Ira. “Thank you for saying that Annette. We do try to be nice...when the children aren’t fighting.” She looks down at her two youngest and then smiles  at Ira and Annette “I think that’s a lovely idea but you are not in our hair. Feel free to still come around here for anything you need. Meals, puppy visits…..you can use our bicycles if you want to go for a ride around the trails. Our home is your home…..both of you.” She looks at Gen “You may be right and there’s a lot of that….” Then she looks between Felix and Cath “Sometimes old fashioned names are nice because they keep people from the past with us in a  tiny way….even just a name. Both my middle name and Gen’s….Therese is from my grandmother. Someday you might do that with your own children and someday….well they might complain.” She laughs and then draws in Ira “What’s your middle name?”

Ira felt himself hold his breath for the moment Annette mentioned she would stay at the hotel. He knew Amelie and Felix weren’t her parents but he kind of felt like they were parental figures to her right now and wanted their approval, maybe even more than her actual parents. But then Amelie is super cool about it all and generous with their space and food and bikes. Then he considers what Gen has said and tests the waters with a buzz word of something that got dropped on them by Megan “Anyone here ever tell you guys about this thing called the fog?” Then he answers about his name “Ira Yaron Rothenberg. My father was Yaron. And yeah it’s an old man name but he was mine so it makes me remember him.” He gives Cath a little nod.

Annette looks around the table, glad of the acceptance.  She looks a Ira when he asks about the fog and looks eager for an answer herself.

Rene looks at his mother.  "I am not fighting, Maman.  I'm just saying what everyone already knows."  he shovels food in his mouth, seeming to love meat and vegetables equally.  Ira asks about the fog and he speaks with his mouth open something that might be yes.  The word cannot be understood, but he is nodding.

Gen smiles a little and looks at Rene with disgust.  "Oh god, shut up and eat with your mouth closed."  she looks at Ira and nods.  "Sure ... it happened before we got here,but the legend is that the town suffered an earthquake and was cut off from the reas of the world for like 3 years."

Felix smiles a bit at Cath.  "Apology accepted.  Maybe someday you can nae your son Felix after me."  he suggests with a wink.  Then he looks at Ira and listens as Gen tries to explain it.  "It sounds insane, but if it is, then everyone that was in it is insane, because their stories are all exactly the same when it comes to the earthquake and fog."  he shrugs.  "I've heard it from people I've come to respect and not one of them has a reason to lie about it."

Amelie nods along with Gen and Felix “I believe it. You should see some of their teeth. Three years worth of build up. Sorry not dinner appropriate. But it’s all the proof I need. That and there was a small earthquake and the locals reacted like we were being bombed. I had a man try to run from a dental chair with my scaler still in his teeth.” Then she points towards the Reinhardt home “And Sasha’s friend Seamus... his grandmother went to meet him at the ferry with a priest!”

Ira listens and nods, taking it all in. He points at Gen “You said legend. Do you have doubts? Because I have doubts. I’m not discounting the yucky teeth. It’s just I don’t have a visual like that...”

Amelie interjects because she has a burning question “No visual. What about faith? Possibly? Ira, do you believe in God? I know you’re Jewish but God is God.”

Ira looks caught in Amelie’s argument and exhales “Yeah I believe in God. And no I’ve never seen proof... I get what you mean...I dunno...” He laughs. Then he looks at Annette like he wants her input too.

Cath just listens and watches the conversation as she eats.

Amelie backs off and looks apologetically at Ira and then Gen “I cut in on your answer Gen. I’m sorry.” Her phone rings a FaceTime call in her pocket and she fights to get it fished out and accidentally answers in full instead of just checking the call display first. Her eyes go wide as she answers “MC....hi....”

The barking voice of Marie Claude Hebert is loud and clear “Bonjour Amelie. I thought I would give you one more chance to apologize. Am I interrupting supper? I always forget the time change. It’s probably why I can’t get ahold of my daughter.”

Amelie looks at the screen in disbelief “Well that’s very noble of you. I don’t really feel the need to apologize and yes you are interrupting dinner.” She looked around very aware that MC’s daughter was right there but not revealing it immediately. But MC was wise to the deflection.

“Well good  all home. Pass me around for a visit. Gaetan said you did that with him.” MC demanded.

Rene was at an age where he could be too young or just the right age for any conversation.  On this one, he decided that he was too young and stayed out of it.  His mother fumbled technology and answered a call from Tanta MC and he swallowed hard, looking a little bit like he was looking for any excuse to run.

Gen begins to answer when her mother gets a FaceTime call from Tante MC.  she closes her eyes a moment and then looks at her cousin, who is right there.  Was Annette avoiding her mother.  Gen decided that she was, because who wouldn't avoid a mother like her?

Felix looks at Ira.  He can understand the need for more proof, although for him, there was more concrete proof, so to speak in the teeth of the people here.  He opens his mouth when the FaceTime call comes through and then rubs at his temple.

Annette looks at Ira and is about to share her opinion again, mostly that her family believes, when the call comes through from her mother.  Her jaw drops and she reaches for Ira'shand, leaning into him.  Needing that feeling of safety,

Ira leans into Annette but switches his inside hand holding hers for his outside so he can both hold her hand and put his arm around her. He really doesn’t care if her mother sees him doing it. His goal is just to be there for Annette.

Amelie hesitates and incurs the wrath of MC.

“Oh I see... it’s something you do with Gaetan mmm?” MC digs the guilt trench and settles in comfortably around the family.

Amelie sighs “I will give them the choice MC but my children are allowed to say no to me. I won’t force them.” She gestures to the phone so MC can see her do it “If you wish to... Tante MC.”

MC sort of snarls “Yes Amelie your lax parenting is half your problem. I remember when you let Sasha eat only fruit salad and refuse a perfectly fine hamburger.”

Amelie snaps “And you all got food poisoning...” She’s about ready to just hang up when Cath waves at her and gestures that she wants the phone.

Cath is still easily affected by guilt and she feels bad for her mom in the hot seat. Tante MC was scary but she would be brave. And she had something hard to be negative about to share that might help. “I will. Taffy come here!” The little puppy comes to her and she lifts him up and faces him forward. Then she props up the phone against her empty lemonade glass “Tante MC! We got a puppy!”

MC scrutinized Cath and the little dog “Well yes they’re cute. You should put him in a crate when you eat or he’ll have no manners.”

Cath looks confused “ Oh I could never do that. And he’s a dog. I don’t expect him to have manners. I mean we don’t put him up on the table with the chicken...” As if to prove MC’s point Taffy lunges for Cath’s plate and tries to eat off it. “No Taffy!” Cath scrambles to pull the puppy back and bumps the phone. It spins out from the glass and directly faces Ira and Annette snuggled together just as Ira gives Annette a sweet kiss on the cheek. Cath grabs the phone back but the damage is done.

MC goes from guilt to shrill “Who’s that man? Is that Annette? Why is he kissing her? What’s going on?”

Annette feels the warm tingle when Ira puts his arm around her as well as holds her hand.  Cath bravely tries to distract her mother, but it fails spectacularly and, just as Ira kisses her cheek, she knows her mother has seen it, even though Cath snatches the phone back.  Her mother either terrifies or drives everyone away, it seems.  Even as she hears the shrill words, she turns her head and kisses Ira.  "I love you."  she tells him, softly and then motions for Cath to give her the phone.  The girl can't handle it and poor Taffy at the same time anyway.  She takes the phone and faces her mother.  "Oui, Maman. It's me.  This is my boyfriend, Ira Rothenberg, so that's why he was kissing me." she pauses a heartbeat.  She'll be in enough trouble as it was and she wasn't going to fight her mother for the right to love this man.  "We're in love." she tells her and kisses Ira again, right on the lips, although she doesn't get her tongue involved.

Rene cringes at the whole thing.  Taffy could have been hilarious, but when dealing with Tante MC ... there was never hilarity.  He stands and moves to his sister when Annette takes the phone away. What she said was brave.  He helps get Taffy on the floor again and pats Cath's shoulder.

Gen facepalms when Taffy goes for the chicken and Tante MC gets all shrill.  She looks at her cousin Annette as if she might be a warrior goddess as, in her mind, she ticks off things her cousin just said to piss her aunt off.  Rothenberg and love being the top two.

Felix groans at it all, but then looks stunned at Annette as she simply tells her mother about Ira.  He looks over at Amelie and gives a nod. He likes this man and plans to defend them if he needs to, but so far .. so good.

Ira can’t help but adore Cath for taking on Annette’s mom and trying to distract from what was clearly a tense face time call. He had heard enough about MC to dislike her before ever meeting her and clearly she had affected her sister’s family as she had her own. The little dog was a good choice until it did what dogs naturally do when presented with food. He knew this had to be hard for Annette so he leans in to kiss her sweetly on the cheek and then clearly the phone had slipped because her mother was freaking out. Annette kisses him and tells him she loves him and before he can say it back she has the phone in her hand and she’s talking to her mother. They’re both on screen looking at a red faced woman who has an expression on her face like a raging bull. Ira lets go of Annette’s hand briefly to give an awkward wave as Annete calls him her boyfriend. Despite the tension he loves hearing her call him that. Then Annette tells her mother outright that they're in love and kisses him on the lips in front of her mom. Ira kisses her back but chastely and turns to MC. “It’s true Mrs. Hebert. I love your daughter very much. I’d do anything for her and all I want is to make her happy.” His tone and expression is genuine.

MC looks between Ira and Annette on the phone and her daughter’s words hit her like a slap in the face. She’s flushed and furious “How long has THIS been going on?” She spits out. Then she glares at Ira “You’re that Jewish boy. You say you’ll do anything for Annette. Will you convert and make an honest woman out of her? Because you better not be getting the milk without buying the cow.”

Ira exhales into a laugh cough and then just looks stunned “Wow  lady….just wow.” He’s not even going to address the conversion thing “Annette is already an honest woman. And that’s why I love her.”

Cath had handed over the phone and mouthed “Sorry.” at Annette and Ira with a look of anguish. Rene helps her get Taffy back to the floor and puts a hand on her shoulder which is despite all his earlier teasing, comforting to her. Then Annette takes on her Tante MC and Cath looks amazed. Annette and Ira are so strong and sweet together. Like Gen and Dante and like her parents. But MC is still just awful to them and Cath gasps “Did Tante MC just call our cousin a cow?!” She says it loud enough for Tante MC to hear on purpose.

Amelie had still been ready to grab the phone at any point and just hang up and then block her own sister’s number on her phone. Cath was amazing but the puppy was...well a  puppy and then the phone got spun and she could hear MC freaking out. She stood up to intervene but Annette asked for the phone and took on her mother beautifully. Amelie saw Felix’s nod and gave him a look of love as she nodded back. She knew they could both see the strength of the love between their niece and this man Ira. Both of them handled it maturely and bravely but then MC had to be MC and Amelie clenched her jaw and held out her hand for the phone answering Cath “Yes she did. Annette, Ira, you don’t have to sit there and take that.” She was done watching MC bully people, especially her own kids.

Rene stares and when Tante MC calls Annette a cow, he tightens his grip on her shoulder.  "Yea ....  yea ....  she did."

Felix is stunned at MC.  In his head, he remembers all of the things Amelie had been called when she had been pregnant and he had asked her to marry him.  The whole buy the cow one was probably only the beginning and if MC was anyting like her own mother, thngs could get much worse.  He looks at Annette and Felix. No .. you don't have to tolerate it.  And we support you."  he assures them.

Gen sat stunned for a second before listening to her parents and Ira stand up for Annette.  She narrows her eyes and says, not yelling, but not whispering.  "Chienne. (bitch)"

Annette feels a little gut punched when her mother does exactly what her mother does.  She begins shaking and can’t even address the idea that she is some kind of bovine.  Instead, she takes on religion.  “Maman, perhaps it would be me who would convert to Judeasm.”  she says, boldly.  “God would love us just the same because we are good people.”  and suddenly she feels like a naive five year old in Sunday school before they learned that God was very articular in who he loved and why.

MC’s nostrils flare. She can hear Amelie, Cath, and Rene...although Rene is not being so rude like the others. Then she hears Gen call her a ….her eyes go wide. And then she clutches her heart when Annette suggests she would convert to Judaism “Why would you do that to your family Annette? For this…..this man. We don’t even know him. This is crazy talk. You need to come home and pray. I never should have let you go away. And now you’ve strayed from the path of salvation…” MC looks almost sick “You were so devoted. You work for the church...how can this be?” MC feels like her world has been shattered. “Of all my children Annette, I thought you understood your place in this world. I took comfort in it. You need to come home to me. Stop listening to Amelie and Felix. They let their children run wild. I heard their daughter is dating a criminal…...do you want that?” MC only knew the bits and pieces she had overheard from Gaetan, JP and Nicole because they didn’t share all the details.

Amelie rolls her eyes and seethed at the guilt trip but then when MC started talking about Gen “dating a criminal” she stood right up and snatched the phone “Marie Claude…you are WAY out of line! Both with your daughter and mine and this ends now! Do you know why Gen’s boyfriend is serving time? Do you? Because a horrible boy tried to rape her and Dante beat the hell out of him. Sasha almost ended up in jail too because he also got involved. Dante is no criminal. He’s a hero to us, and he’s family. Annette is her own person. You don’t get to choose what she believes or who she loves. You need to deal with that. She’s an adult for fucks sakes.” Amelie was swearing and she didn’t care. There was a gasp from beyond the screen. “We like Ira and Annette and Ira are more than welcome to come here for family holidays. Christmas...Hannakah even, if that’s what they choose. We’ll learn how to do it all. You know what you should be doing MC? Focusing on the kids you still have in your house and learning how to love them. Stop poisoning all your relationships. You have a choice here….you could turn this around.”

From the screen came the sound of sobbing. MC was sobbing so hard she couldn’t talk. Amelie looked pained but then unwavering.

Cath puts her hand on top of Rene’s but then just watches and listens with a  look of shock. First at Tante MC and then at her mother.

Ira wraps both arms around Annette as he feels her start to shake. He kisses the side of her head when she suggests she might convert to Judaism instead. He didn’t really want her to but the idea that she would consider it, even just to stick it to her mother was touching. Then he mom goes on a wacko guilt rant and he sighs heavily. MC takes a few swings at Annette and then starts in on Amelie and Felix and Gen. Then Amelie snatches the phone and tells her sister off epically as well as saying they’re welcome for family holidays, even his. At this he hugs Annette hard, just hoping she’ll be ok after all this shit. MC is crying and he can’t say he’s not a little glad Amelie made her cry.

Rene can hardly believe the words coming out of Tante MC's mouth.  He actually opens his own to defend Dante himself when his mother lays into her, complete with swearing and his mouth remains open although there is a smile o his lips he is glad his Tante cannot see.

Gen is shocked at hat MC says to Annette, but then angry when she is brought into it.  She listens to her mother defend Dante and she sniffs, then begins to cry herself.

Felix can feel his temper rising at MC's words, but then Amelie defends Annette, Gen and their parenting. Years ago ... even months ago, he would have been the one to defend and more, to protect Amelie. Now Amelie was proving that she was a fine protector in her own right.

Annette is not crying, but she is shaking.  This is the sorts of stress that would have sent her running off to relieve in secret.  But between therapy and Ira, she no longer had that urge.  She inhales, but it's shaky she knows.  She could destroy her mother with only a few words, but she is still her mother.  So she concentrates on not doing that.  Not unless her mother makes her.  “I know him, Maman. He is a good man and being Jewish has nothing to do with it.”  but then her mother gives her a bit of an out by attacking Gen.  “Maman!  That's…” but them Amelie interrupts and lays into her sister and Annette finds a whole new level of respect for her aunt.  It made her mother cry, but it was worth it to Annette.  “She’s right, Maman.  Please turn this all around…”  she leans into Ira, needing his strong arms and, looking over at her cousin Gen, realizes that Gen may need her own man.  But Dante is not here and she gently pushes herself from Ira and stands, going to Gen and kneeling beside her, offering her own arms to comfort her, but still reaching for Ira's hand to hold, if that’s possible.

Amelie had been watching MC in her pain but she also saw Gen begin to cry and feels torn until Annette goes to her, choosing to comfort her cousin in her own time of great stress. Amelie tears up a bit at the scene and has one last thing to say to her sister. “MC….despite your methods, you’ve managed to raise a beautiful compassionate brave and intelligent young woman. Maybe that’s all her…..but that’s who she is. I hope someday you’ll see that and find your way to appreciating her. You have some work to do and I’m going to let you go think about that because my daughter, and yours, need us after what you’ve said. Your words have impact. Goodbye MC. I’ll pray for you.” And she clicks off the call and moves to the other side of Gen, hugging both she and Annette together in a stretched embrace if she can.

Ira had noticed Gen crying as well and when Annette moves he let his arm around her slide into holding her hand while she comforted her cousin. His heart went out to Gen and his heart burst with love for Annette who was selflessly choosing to be there for her cousin despite anything she might be feeling. Amelie’s next words to MC about Annette made him tear up and he wiped at his eyes quickly as the tears spilled over. This family right here, was more Annette’s family than her mom had been. Even if they had drifted, they sure were showing up for her today and for Gen. He watched Amelie move to comfort her daughter too after ending the call. Amelie and Felix were so good to their kids and their niece...it made him think of his parents who had always been loving parents too.

Cath sees Gen crying and it makes her cry too, quietly. She’s about to get up and go hug her sister but then Annette does. And then is looks like Ira is crying which surprises her because he looks like kind for a big tough guy. Her mom says really big things to ehr aunt and Tante MC doesn’t even answer, or maybe she wasn’t given enough time to. It’s a big feelings kind of night.

In the house attached to the general store in the small French town in Manitoba MC is sitting on the end of her bed bawling her eyes out and holding her phone. Three teenage heads appear in her doorway looking worried and confused. “Maman?” The youngest asks “Did someone die?” MC sniffs and shakes her head “No….I’ll be fine.” But it was a lie. To her, at that moment, Annette was dead to her and Amelie had nailed the coffin shut.